Microsoft Research New England’s Social Media Research Collective cordially invites digital media students in town for the International Communication Association Meetings to join us for an informal evening of conversation and collaboration.

Microsoft Research New England’s Social Media Research Collective, led by danah boyd, cordially welcomes digital media students in town for the International Communication Association Meetings for an informal evening of conversation and collaboration Thursday May 26, from 7PM-8:30PM at Microsoft Research in Kendall Square (One Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA 02142). Space is limited to 75 pre-registered participants. Registered participants must present a photo ID or they will not be allowed past the Security Desk. Appetizers and drinks will be provided.

The Soc.Digital Grad Student Meetup aims to help graduate students examining social practices surrounding communication and information technologies connect with one another. Graduate students will have the opportunity to get to know each other and learn about each other’s work in a casual but fun environment.

Should we receive additional requests for participation, preference will be given to students working on social media and those using ethnographic, historical, or other critical qualitative approaches.

A Soc.Digital Mixer will follow the Grad Student Meetup. Students, faculty, and researchers doing work on digital media have been invited to Microsoft Research from 8:30-10PM for an evening reception. We encourage graduate students attending the Meetup to stick around and get to know other scholars doing work in their area.

The evening’s events will be hosted by Microsoft Research New England’s Social Media Research Collective, including danah boyd, Mike Ananny, Alice Marwick, Nicole Ellison, and Mary L. Gray.

Upon exiting the MBTA station, you will be on Main Street. Walk approximately 3 blocks East on Main St. towards the Longfellow Bridge, and Boston. Landmarks you will pass include: Kendall Square Post Office, Kendall Flowers, Kendall Drugs, and Bank of America. Cross Wadsworth Street and proceed one more block to One Memorial Drive, the pink stone and green glass tower on your right just before you come to the Longfellow Bridge. Proceed to the Lobby Entrance.

Arriving By Car

From Airport:

Leaving the airport follow the signs to the Sumner Tunnel. Entering the tunnel keep in the right lane. At the end of the tunnel, keeping in the right lane, start down an incline and bear to the right immediately at the sign for Storrow Drive.

From RT-28 S/Storrow Drive: Take the RT-3 N ramp (on left) to Kendall Sq./Gov't Center. Keep right at the fork; follow signs for Cambridge/Memorial Dr. Turn right at Cambridge St/RT-3 N. Continue to follow RT-3 N, crossing the Longfellow Bridge into Cambridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge, make a sharp right onto the RT-3 N ramp. Turn right for RT-3 N. Proceed under bridge. Take the ramp right (towards Boston/Gov't Center). Immediately take the left fork for Memorial Drive. Immediately take the next right into the entrance to One Memorial Drive.

I-90 E to (Left) Exit #18/Brighton/Cambridge onto Cambridge St toward Cambridge/Somerville, continue on River St. Turn right on Memorial Dr, continue on Memorial Dr. Watch for sign for Kendall Square; Turn left towards Kendall Square onto Wadsworth St. Follow Wadsworth Street as it veers to the right. Turn right on Main St, go about two blocks, and then make a sharp right turn on Memorial Dr, just before the bridge. One Memorial Drive is on the right. Parking is underneath the building (parking entrance is on left side building).

Arrival Guidance

Upon arrival, be prepared to show a picture ID and sign the Building Visitor Log when approaching the Lobby Floor Security Desk. Alert them to the name of the event you are attending and ask them to direct you to the appropriate floor. The talks will be held the First Floor Conference Center, Horace Mann Conference Room.